Fr. Bernard J. Lane

Ordained: 1960
Status: Settled

Diocese: Archdiocese of Boston MA

Accused by dozens of boys of sexually abusing them at Alpha Omega facilities in Littleton MA and at Lane’s NH cottage. Accusations included oral and anal rape. First accused in 1978 by two boys and removed after admitting going to bed with residents. Treated at House of Affirmation and St. Luke’s; at least six settlements including $200K in 1998. Worked unsupervised until 1999, including youth programs, pastor, priest home. Reprimanded in 2002 for false affidavit. Involuntary laicization in 2004 announced in 2/2005. Included on the Archdiocese’s list of accused in 8/2011. Accused in a federal lawsuit in 10/2016 of abusing a boy at a counseling facility in Malden in 1970; dismissed for lack of process in 3/2017. Per the Archdiocese’s list in 2024, Lane died in 2023.


Return to main database page. See abbreviations and posting policy. Send corrections.

Our Database of Publicly Accused does not state or imply that individuals facing allegations are guilty of a crime or liable for civil claims. The reports contained in the database are merely allegations. The U.S. legal system presumes that a person accused of or charged with a crime is innocent until proven guilty. Similarly, individuals who may be defendants in civil actions are presumed not to be liable for such claims unless a plaintiff proves otherwise. Admissions of guilt or liability are not typically a part of civil or private settlements. For more information, see our posting policy.